No More Learning

Your generous qualities have won due praise,
But vigorous Spirits look for something more
Than Youth's spontaneous products; and to-day
You will not disappoint them; and hereafter--


MARMADUKE You are wasting words; hear me then, once for all:
You are a Man--and therefore, if compassion,
Which to our kind is natural as life,
Be known unto you, you will love this Woman,
Even as I do; but I should loathe the light,
If I could think one weak or partial feeling--


OSWALD You will forgive me--


MARMADUKE If I ever knew
My heart, could penetrate its inmost core,
'Tis at this moment. --Oswald, I have loved
To be the friend and father of the oppressed,
A comforter of sorrow;--there is something
Which looks like a transition in my soul,
And yet it is not. --Let us lead him hither.


OSWALD Stoop for a moment; 'tis an act of justice;
And where's the triumph if the delegate
Must fall in the execution of his office?
The deed is done--if you will have it so--
Here where we stand--that tribe of vulgar wretches
(You saw them gathering for the festival)
Rush in--the villains seize us--


MARMADUKE Seize!


OSWALD Yes, they--
Men who are little given to sift and weigh--
Would wreak on us the passion of the moment.


MARMADUKE The cloud will soon disperse--farewell--but stay,
Thou wilt relate the story.


OSWALD Am I neither
To bear a part in this Man's punishment,
Nor be its witness?


MARMADUKE I had many hopes
That were most dear to me, and some will bear
To be transferred to thee.


OSWALD When I'm dishonoured!


MARMADUKE I would preserve thee. How may this be done?


OSWALD By showing that you look beyond the instant.
A few leagues hence we shall have open ground,
And nowhere upon earth is place so fit
To look upon the deed. Before we enter
The barren Moor, hangs from a beetling rock
The shattered Castle in which Clifford oft
Has held infernal orgies--with the gloom,
And very superstition of the place,
Seasoning his wickedness.
The Debauchee
Would there perhaps have gathered the first fruits
Of this mock Father's guilt.


[Enter Host conducting HERBERT. ]


HOST The Baron Herbert
Attends your pleasure.


OSWALD (to Host)
We are ready--
(to HERBERT) Sir!
I hope you are refreshed. --I have just written
A notice for your Daughter, that she may know
What is become of you. --You'll sit down and sign it;
'Twill glad her heart to see her father's signature.
[Gives the letter he had written. ]


HERBERT Thanks for your care.


[Sits down and writes. Exit Host. ]


OSWALD (aside to MARMADUKE)
Perhaps it would be useful
That you too should subscribe your name.
[MARMADUKE overlooks HERBERT--then writes--examines the letter eagerly. ]


MARMADUKE I cannot leave this paper.


[He puts it up, agitated. ]


OSWALD (aside)
Dastard!